Shell script: can't execvp

MicraBoy

I'm running a shell script which boils down to this:

#!/bin/sh -f

...

xterm -e $com &

where $com is the executable I want to run.

The xterm window opens with the error:

xterm: can't execvp $com

I can run the command

xterm -e $com &

from the CDE terminal window and it works, so why not from the script?

Web searchs indicate it's something to do with permissions, but I have full access permission set on $com. Anybody got any ideas. Any help appreciated.

AndrewMc

Does it actually say "can't execvp $com" or have you replaced the end of the output with the string $com in your post? What does $com contain and how is it assigned?

krinDar

AndrewMc wrote:

Does it actually say "can't execvp $com" or have you replaced the end of the output with the string $com in your post? What does $com contain and how is it assigned?

In other words - include all the script. You may be leaving out something
that is causing the problem. If there is something sensitive in the script
then reduce it to something that demonstrates the problem without
the sensitive info - in the process of doing that you might find your
problem.

Also, include the OS and the version.

MicraBoy

Sorry my over simplification didn't really over simplify anything. See below for the full script. In the last line I have tried both

xterm -l -lf $logfile -n "SIM" $geom -title " [$USER @ $HOST ] logfile is [$logfile] " -e $com &

and the much simpler

xterm -e $com &

I really think this is some environmental problem rather than anything in the script. I'm pretty sure I used it before without this difficulty.

I am using Solaris SunOS 5.8, Desktop CDE1.4.8, X11 V6.4.1

Does it actually say "can't execvp $com" or have you replaced the end of the output with the string $com in your post? What does $com contain and how is it assigned?

No it says xterm: can't execvp runSim

#!/bin/sh -f

THISUSER=`echo $USER`
HDIR=`echo $HOME`
TLOGDIR=`echo $LOGDIR`

if [ "$TLOGDIR" = "" ]
then
echo "log directory must be specified , source setup.env ";
exit 1;
fi

geom=" -geometry 140x15-0-11 -bg blue ";
logfile="$TLOGDIR/LOG_TEST.txt";
rm -fr $logfile;

cd /client_local/basictest
pwd
com="./runSim"
xterm -l -lf $logfile -n "SIM" $geom -title " [$USER @ $HOST ] logfile is [$logfile] " -e $com &

eggshapedfred

maybe specify the full path to runSim instead of com = ./runSim, i.e. com=/path/to/runSim

krinDar

eggshapedfred wrote:

maybe specify the full path to runSim instead of com = ./runSim, i.e. com=/path/to/runSim

Another thing that might help is to specify '-x' at the start of the script,
this will print out the commands and their arguments as they are being
executed. i.e

#!/bin/sh -f -x

MicraBoy

Oh good God I'm a dope. Sorted it guys. A simple path issue. Sometimes ya just can't see the wood for the trees.

Thanks for your help folks!